Phnom Da - a photographic essay

21-10-‘26

setting off on the long canal out of Takeo 

net fishing and floodplains so wide you can’t distinguish the canal from the lake 

open space

… a big sky day

… water reflections 

abundant bird and insect activity 

… ah breathe deep

sigh

(Photo credit to E for the reflection) 

teeming with life : grass, weeds even Eucalyptus trees growing submerged

water hyacinth too unfortunately 

… actually it is an invasive plant, though you do see it in markets here so it’s edible and the stems are woven into beautiful basketry    

… it played havoc with the propeller

(among the greens in our local market)

(examples of woven water hyacinth I own)

Forward Ho! 

tiny dragonflies everywhere 

I heard frogs and recognized that’s what they were from the sound in the paddies in the bamboo house, then this one joined us for the ride and hunted insects in the boat

Phnom Da … we made it 

… not so many stairs actually but yes in ruin and unstable, deteriorating, and not easily navigable but the tree shade and density was gorgeous 

deep in discussion 

I love a wide horizon

the jungle encroaches 

rocking around at the top 

… moss covered stones everywhere 

… caution required but eh 

… soul restoring too

a path down with a banister

… yes please 

… a bonus - an articulate monk who delighted in introducing himself in English

… lush, dense, prolific undergrowth threatened to take over

… I was literally escorted down the treacherous steps to the boat by the driver

… he was graceful on a smooth and slippery concrete ramp 

… I was awkward on a worn, washed away, stone staircase but felt secure because of his gallantry

… he danced me back to the boat

… relieved I clambered aboard 

now we have seen huge dark clouds rolling in it’s all systems go to get back 

back in the water hyacinths but the path we carved earlier is still navigable so 

… go go go 

O Oh! It’s raining over there 

… and on us now too

… the birds are fleeing and squawking 

… out come the umbrellas

… in an open boat, huddled beneath them getting nearly drenched anyway 

… no one complaining, not even Michael who had no umbrella and was soaked to the skin

… rain stops and we are partially dry from the wind factor at the dock 

… both the driver and boatman were dripping earlier

… no one is or was cold  

 

clearing skies and a solitary kite flying overhead 

suddenly it was over

(Yet again E’s shot) 

but there were other sights to see and conversations to be had

… young kids shyly saying hello and scurrying off on their bikes 

… and one youngster confidently asking questions and providing information in near perfect English 

… final statement “Do you want to learn the Khmer language?”

… you’ll go far young man 

vandalism? graffiti? street art? contemporary culture? Call it you what you will 

Many thanks to Michael for inviting us along, organising transport and providing the historic information and context as well as engaging us all in conversations effortlessly. A red letter day for sure